+++ Day

❓ What is +++ Day?

+++ Day is a celebration of the Hayes modem escape sequence, first patented on October 22, 1985. It marks the invention of the iconic +++ command that allowed users to switch from data mode to command mode on Hayes-compatible modems without hanging up. On October 22, 2025 will will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this essential piece of modem history and all things BBS! ❓ Why celebrate +++?

Because +++ changed the way we connected to the world! Before this invention, sending commands to your modem often meant losing your connection. Hayes' elegant guard-time solution allowed for control without disconnection — a vital innovation in the early days of online communication. Also... it’s just fun to say "Happy +++ Day!" and pretend we’re war dialing again. ❓ What exactly is the +++ escape sequence?

It’s a string of three plus signs (+++) sent to the modem with at least one second of silence before…

The Three-Plus Salute: Iconic, Infamous, and Occasionally Infuriating

The +++ escape sequence — affectionately known as the three-plus salute — is one of the most legendary commands in modem history. It allowed users to switch from data mode to command mode without hanging up, a critical feature that saved many a dial-up session.

But Hayes didn’t just invent it — they patented it. Their version included a one-second pause (called the guard time) before and after the +++ to prevent accidental triggers. If other modem vendors wanted to use this method, they had to pay up… or get sued.

Many budget modem makers chose not to license Hayes’ sequence. Instead, they created a workaround known as the Time Independent Escape Sequence — or TIES, for short. TIES dropped the guard time entirely. It simply triggered command mode if +++ was followed by a valid AT command (like +++ATH0<cr>).

This had consequences. While +++AT sequences were rare…